Process Engineer ; Chemical Engineer

Position: Process Engineer I (Chemical Engineer I)
Position Summary

We are seeking a Process Engineer I (Chemical Engineer I) for the EMG Group, APS Division at the Indianapolis manufacturing facility. This role is part of the APS Process Research & Development team (engineers, scientists, and technicians) supporting APS manufacturing plants in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Under general direction, the Process Engineer I supports the industrialization, scale-up, and optimization of chemical adhesive products, processes, and materials to enable safe, stable, and consistent, high-quality production. The engineer executes process development work to improve capability, cost, and cycle time while minimizing rework and supporting robust manufacturing performance. This is a hands-on role that spends approximately 80-90% of time in the laboratory and/or on the manufacturing floor, including observing plant chemical batches, supporting onsite manufacturing trials, and performing internal laboratory/analytical/QC testing.

The role also supports customer root cause analysis (RCA), evaluates material alternatives and alternate sourcing/qualification options, documents results in clear technical reports, and works cross-functionally to resolve manufacturing issues. Some domestic travel is expected.

Responsibilities

* Execute plant/scale-up chemical batches, laboratory work, and analytical/QC testing.

* Support scale-up of new or improved products and implementation into manufacturing.

* Troubleshoot and resolve escalated manufacturing/process issues with focus on safety, quality, capability, cost, and cycle time.

* Support customer RCA: translate problem statements into test plans; execute testing; analyze data; document findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

* Support material alternative sourcing/qualification by evaluating material substitutions and alternate sources to meet performance, quality, supply continuity, and manufacturing needs.

* Perform broad chemical, analytical, and QC testing to support product development, troubleshooting, quality investigations, and customer issues.

* Plan and support onsite plant trials in pilot plant/manufacturing operations.

* Apply statistics and DOE as appropriate; use instrumentation and support equipment repair/design needs.

Perform routine and non-routine lab assignments of moderate to high complexity; make sound day-to-day decisions with limited supervision

Select appropriate technical approaches using standard methods; develop/modify procedures when needed; communicate results clearly.

* Maintain laboratory readiness: manage equipment and supplies; support specification and purchasing of new equipment.

* Train staff as needed.

* Promote safe work practices; support development and improvement of lab safety procedures.

* Travel: domestic up to 5%; international travel is unlikely.

Job Dimensions

* Technical Knowledge:
Applies extensive technical expertise and has full knowledge of other related disciplines. Intermediate knowledge of products and/or industry, detailed customer applications, detailed value proposition elements.

* Impact:
Completes medium complexity projects. Leads portions of projects as a team member. Failure to achieve goals may cause delays in program schedules and may result in allocation of additional resources.

* Problem Solving:
Track record of implementing technical solutions to a wide range of challenging problems. Solutions are imaginative, thorough, practical, and consistent with objectives. Expert understanding and utilization of engineering tools, methods, processes (FMEA, process audits, troubleshooting methods, etc.)

* Discretion/Latitude:
Work is performed without appreciable direction. Exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives of assignment. Completed work is reviewed from a relatively long-term perspective for desired results.

* Liaison:
Frequent inter-organizational and outside customer contacts. Represents organization in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

* Bachelors in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or similar. BS with 2 years relevant work experience. MS with 0 years relevant work experience. Or an Associates degree or no degree with 10 years' experience.

* Demonstrated commitment to safety; adherence to company quality standards and ethics policies.

* Strong attention to detail.

* Adequate visual acuity to read chemical container labels and safely work with hazardous chemicals in a laboratory/manufacturing environment.

* Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to produce clear technical documentation of methods, results, and conclusions.

* Ability to work effectively on cross-functional teams (manufacturing, quality, and technical groups).

* Working knowledge of basic statistics; ability to interpret and communicate results; familiarity with DOE concepts.

* Ability to work hands-on in lab and pilot plant/manufacturing operations, spending approximately 80-90% of time in the…